GROUND riNCIIES. 
181 
is turned to the right, the lower being curved to the 
left ; in others, the position of the mandibles is re- 
versed as to their direction. Mr. Yarrell has well 
illustrated the structure and moving power of this 
organ, in an interesting paper on the subject in the 
Zoological Journal.” After entering very minutely 
into all the details of the anatomy of this very curious v 
instrument, Mr. Yarrell quotes Mr. Townson to show 
the adaptation of these parts to the wants of the bird 
in feeding. The great pine-forests, such as the Hartz, 
in Grermany, says Mr. Townson, are the natural place of 
residence of the Crossbeaks, and the seed of the cones 
of these trees their food ; and it is to pull out the 
seeds from between the sqiiamco, or scales of the cones, 
that this structure is given them. Their mode of 
operation is this : — They first fix themselves across the 
cone, then bring the points of tlie maxillsD from their 
crossed or lateral position, to be immediately over 
each other. In tliis reduced compass they insinuate 
their beaks between the scales, and then opening them, 
not in the usual manner, but by drawing the inferior 
maxilla sideways, force open the scales, or scjuamcc. “It 
is at this stage of the proceeding,” observes Mr. 
Yarrell, “ that the aid of the tongue becomes necessary ; 
and here, again, we have another instance of beautiful 
adaptation. There is articulated to the anterior ex- 
tremity of the os liyoides, or bone of the tongue, an 
additional portion, formed partly of bones, with a 
horny covering. This is narrow and about three- 
eighths of an inch in length, extending forwards and ^ 
downwards, with the sides curved upwards, and the 
distal extremity shaped like a scoop somewhat pointed, 
